Acne Skin Treatments and Natural Health Care

June 21, 2018

Acne may be dismissed by some as a superficial skin condition that is easily treated by mainstream over-the-counter drugs. This may be true to some extent but acne problem has more far reaching effects for those suffering from this skin condition. Sometimes when the problem persists and can no longer be remedied by simple medications, people suffering from acne tend to be withdrawn and self-conscious.

The quest for an effective acne treatment has led scientist at UCLA and the University of Pittsburgh to discover “phages”, a harmless virus that live on our skin, as a potential treatment for acne because of its natural ability to infect and kill the acne-causing bacteria Propionibacterium acnes.

According to the Mayo Clinic, acne forms when hair follicles are clogged with oil and dead skin cells. Inflammation occurs when these hair follicles are infected by the bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes. According to Dr. Robert Modlin, a professor of Dermatology and professor of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, “Harnessing a virus that naturally preys on the bacteria that causes pimples could offer a promising new tool against the physical and emotional scars of severe acne”.

Despite the advances in science with regards to finding an effective medicine for acne, a lot of people still prefer to use natural remedies to solve this skin problem. Many fear of having to deal with harmful side effects that this synthetic medicines offer. Also, others believe that a holistic approach is needed to address the problem of acne, such as change in diet and lifestyle. Martha J., a young professional who had been suffering from acne since high school says, “I have tried all treatments that I can see on the shelves, even followed every infomercial that promised cure. Until this time, I still have to see a positive effect. That is why I want to try the natural approach. Who knows this might be the answer to my problem”.